Advent One- God Comes to Us and We Come to God Through Communication

 

“Praying and Listening”  11-29-20 1^st advent   LMPC Ben Sloan John 15:1-9 Advent, as you know, means “coming.”  This advent, my sermons will be on “Coming to God, and How He comes to us.”  In many ways- Jesus came to us that we might come to God.  He teaches that we can come to God and that God loves us and wants us to love Him in return.  Today we will talk about communicating with God and how important that is to coming to Him.  Isla Glaiser was a 4 year old who called 911 when her mother fell down and she calmly gave directions to police, while watching over her three younger siblings.  It was important that she stayed on the phone and listened and that she talked to those who could help her on the phone.  Doctors say she saved her mother’s life.  When something bad happens, it is important to call out.  In our 2020 time it is important to stay on the line with God- listen and talk. 
    In our passage in John, Jesus speaks about abiding, remaining, staying, in Him like a branch stays in a vine.  During our pandemic time- this is especially important.  We are in many ways alienated from each other- with no large inside gatherings, masks and social distancing- all important in our day.  Because of that it takes extra focus and effort to remain in Him.  The monks, who practice isolation for the most part- had a rule that isolation without devotion is empty loneliness.  It is the same with us today. 
Jesus focused specifically about listening and praying as a part of our devotion to God. 
    LISTENING- There are two parts of listening to God that are dependent on each other.  One part is the experiential listening- experiencing God’s presence in your life.  There are special times when God comes to us.  These are special and not ordinary experiences.  Many testify that this comes when in worship or reading scripture.  It is like that verse is meant for you, or God speaks to you through that song sung or sermon. 
     But the second kind of listening is more mundane- it is simply heeding what God has already said.  The less we heed God, the more we are deaf to Him, and the less He wants to talk to us.  If you are in a conversation with someone and they turn their back on you, or immediately look down and start texting, it keeps you from wanting to continue the conversation.  The reason Bible study and Sunday School, and personal quiet times are important is that we believe God has something to say to you in the Scripture.  We call the scripture “The Word of God” not because it is static, but it is a living word for us.  The Situation in Life (German “Sitz Im Leben”) is not simply what it meant back when it was written- but what the scripture means in our situation in life.  The scriptures speak to our every day decisions, morals, ability to love.  As you learn and listen to scripture, it becomes a part of who you are- so that you know the right way, the right way to act- discerning the evil from the good.  If I am asking God to help me make a decision, for example, I don’t have to ask about whether I should steal or cheat or not.  I don’t have to ask about whether I should covet or lie or disrespect my parents. 
    If you want to experience God’s guidance, you must look to be guided by Him in what He has already said.  Jesus said it like this, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord but do not do what I say.’”
    Years ago, when I was working on my doctorate, I went to the Monastery in Monk’s Corner.  I studied there and worshiped with them.  One of the main characteristics of the Trappist monks there is that they do not talk at all except for reading the Bible and praising God in confession and song.  It was really different being there.  But I did appreciate that sometimes talking too much can get you into trouble or can be hurtful to others.  While God has designed us to communicate with others, we would do well sometimes to control our words.  When they did speak scripture or worship- there was an enthusiasm of expression that was inspirational. 
     PRAYER  is the second way we communicate to God.  Someone said, “How do you define prayer.”  Basically, you can say, “Prayer is talking to God.”  But even in talking to God there is listening because sometimes we don’t have the right words and we just need to sit in silence.  It is in those times that God speaks to us.  If you really respect someone (Maybe someone like a professor a grandparent), you may want to say something to them, but in respect you hang on every word they say. 
    But if you abide in Him- you can ask Him whatever.  If you remain in Him, you have this relationship of love that gives you confidence to approach the throne of grace in prayer knowing He came for us and died for us and loves us. You don’t have to have perfect words or grammar. Just communicate. 
    I think a lot of people are numb to all the stress of this pandemic and are just kind of coasting through life- almost closed down.  But I want to say, God is trying to say something to you.  I believe God tries to reach every one of us- regularly.  He cares about us.  That is the message of advent.  When we are in a dire situation- instead of going numb, we would do well to heighten our listening and prayer.  
     John and Helen Collins were flying in their Cessna when John had a heart attack.  His 80 year old wife, who had never flown, grabbed the controls, called a tower, and they talked her down to land in an emergency landing.  Now she could have panicked.  She could have gone into shock and numbness and not heard anything.  But instead she listened very carefully, followed instructions, communicated properly and saved her life.  God is dealing with you.  He wants you to listen to Him, talk to Him, and let Him lead you safely through this tough time. 

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes ^a so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.